Who am I?

From where, what, who, how am I defined? Who am I? These days we hear so much about individualism. We have hardly gotten over the me-ism of the Reagan years, and here we are being flooded with Ayn Rand and radical, individualistic, libertarian philosophy. Bear with me a moment. I choose to take a different approach to who we are and our responsibility to and in the world.
I accept the Jewish (ancient and contemporary) concept of corporate identity. I believe I am defined by the group/family/culture into which I am born. Everything--EVERYTHING--tells me my existence, my identity depends on others. I exist because my parents conceived me, my mother birthed me, my family nurtured and nourished me. Biologically I AM because of others. Sociologically I exist because my society  protects and enables me to live and grow; its laws create a safe environment within which I grew and learned and conformed to the welfare of others.
Economically my society enabled me to prepare for meaningful work, provide a comfortable life for my family, contribute to the protection and welfare of those less fortunate. My government protects me militarily from terrorism to the best of our ability, provides a good transportaion system (paved roads etc.), attempts to guaranteed responsible and intellectually sound education, strives to guarantee safe food and safe drugs and clean water and clean air, and however inadequate, a tax system that I am glad and proud to contribute to that underwrites these benefits. We have a long way to go in all areas mentioned above and in providing health care, yes universal health care, for everyone and enabling those who have already made their contributions to live in dignity and without fear in their old age. Everyone and everything that has preceeded me prepared me for my place and responsibility to the world around me and the generation that will follow me. I give thanks for them and accept my responsibility to continue the traditions and values received.
Ayn Rand was wrong! Selfishness is Not a moral value!
John Donne said it best:   NO MAN IS AN ISLAND, COMPLETE UNTO HIMSELF.